Methods, systems, and media for controlling access to content are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving a request to modify a first access list associated with a container item, wherein the first access list indicates a set of users that are authorized to access the container item; identifying the first access list in response to the request; accessing a second access list associated with a content item embedded in the container item, wherein the second access list indicates a set of users that are authorized to access the content item; modifying the first access list to filter out users from the first access list that are not included in the second access list; and storing the first access list such that the first access list is accessible to a host of the container item to verify that a requesting user is authorized to access the container item.